UCF will entertain Cypress Bay RB Matt Dayes this weekend for official visit

By By Chris Hays | Orlando Sentinel

Matt Dayes, Cypress Bay, photo

JOSHUA C. CRUEY/ORLANDO SENTINEL

Cypress Bay running back Matt Dayes is making an official recruiting visit to UCF this weekend (Jan. 11).

Cypress Bay running back Matt Dayes is making an official recruiting visit to UCF this weekend (Jan. 11). (JOSHUA C. CRUEY/ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Weston Cypress Bay running back Matt Dayes could have a chip on his shoulder. He could get disgusted every time he hears someone start talking about all of the running backs in South Florida, yet not hearing his name.

After his big-time performance in the Class 8A state championship loss to Apopka, however, Dayes was no longer a secret. The NC State commit started to get numerous recruiting calls following the 170-yard, four-touchdown performance he had in the state title game, including inquiries from coaches at UCF, where the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder will take an official visit this weekend.

“I don’t really know too much about it other than that it’s in Orlando,” said Dayes of UCF. “I just want to see how the players like the school and then see the facilities and everything.”

Dayes said the lack of attention he receives is a bit bothersome, but the leading rusher in both Dade and Broward counties for the 2012 season brushes it off.

He ran for just over 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, but names like Alex Collins and Kelvin Taylor and Greg Bryant and Lorenzo Woodley, and on and on, are often bantered about in conversation, but not the name Matt Dayes.

“It is what it is. What can you do?” Dayes said. “I feel like they don’t give Cypress Bay a lot of respect, but it doesn’t matter. I just play my game and as long as I do what I have to do then I’ll be fine.”

It also bothers him somewhat that he wasn’t getting nearly as much recruiting attention as the other guys. After his performance against Apopka, however, things changed.

That’s when coaches like UCF assistants Allen Mogridge, who has since left the program to take an assistant position at Temple, and Danny Barrett, UCF running backs coach, came calling. So did coaches from Arkansas, Miami, Tennessee and others.

So far his has set up the UCF visit and he will also be visiting Vanderbilt during the weekend of Jan. 25. Dayes already took an official visit to NC State during the same weekend the Wolfpack handed Florida State its first loss of the season. That gives him two remaining official visits to schedule.

“I’m still looking at some other schools, but I’m not for sure where I’m going yet,” Dayes said.

He said he remains committed to NC State, but that commitment certainly sounds as if it is starting to wear out its elasticity.

“I don’t even have a favorite right now,” Dayes said. “I’ll take my visits and then put all the schools together and make decision after that.”

Dayes said he will not wait until National Signing Day (Feb. 6) to make his decision and he’ll announce his intentions as soon as he is comfortable with a choice, and comfort level seems to be the key.

“Playing time is good,” he said, “but if I have to redshirt I don’t have a problem with that.”

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